[7th of June 2064, Saturday, 5:12 PM, Berendin Manor.]

LUCIDIA
Lucas, may I have a moment?

LUCAS
Sure, what’s up?

LUCIDIA
A month ago, you submitted a missing item report after receiving your laundry. The object is a limited edition coin minted in 1993, Castelsylvania State.

I believe this plastic case contains what you seek.

[Lucidia passes the small coin case to Lucas. He beams with joy after further examination.]

LUCAS
Yes! This is it! Oh my god, I thought I had lost it forever. Where did you find it?

LUCIDA
The coin was mixed together with the wreckage of the computer store. It must have fallen out of your pocket in the midst of struggle, explaining why it wasn’t with lost property.

Hmm, interesting. May I ask why you carry such a valuable object on your being? I would have kept it in a safe at home.

LUCAS
My girlfriend gave it to me for my 18th birthday, right when I became a legal adult. Apparently, my family has this history of weird bad luck the moment we hit adulthood, so she thought this lucky coin would ward some of it off.

LUCIDIA
I would say that the coin itself is particularly lucky to have escaped disposal for so long. It could have been melted down in the forge, or left to rot beneath a trash heap.

I’m glad that you’re still on good terms with your significant other. I was worried that your sudden departure may have caused some estrangement.

LUCAS
Heh, she’s a special one. Has a knack for taking everything in stride. Been that way for as long as I knew her. My life would be so much easier if Dad was more like her.

LUCIDIA
…Query: Is your girlfriend Tavia O’Connell, the first daughter of Sean and Lydia, owners of S&L Accounting? I’ve heard her name brought up a couple of times.

LUCAS
Oh, uh, yeah. I suppose that was never a big secret to begin with.

LUCIDIA
And how familiar are you with her interests and hobbies? In particular, the detail that Miss O’Connell is @FennelFantasyXVI, the founder of ‘The Evergreen Court’, the foremost Mezil Thyme fanclub on the internet.

LUCAS
…Uh… Quite. W-why do you ask?

LUCIDIA
Elaboration: your initial levels of fear towards my husband were above average. I decided to investigate this curiosity and found her fanclub involvement to be a notable factor that may have contributed to your heightened state of anxiety.

Hypothesis: your impressions were coloured by fictitious accounts about my husband.

LUCAS
Right. Um. That. That makes sense, I guess. I mean, Tavia, she’s always been into the more dramatic adventure stories people write about Judge Thyme. Aaand, she showed me some of the better-written ones when we were younger. ...Most of those were by one particular author who was practically an expert but loved making his scenes as scary and intense as he could possibly get away with. Which carried over into the way he characterised everyone, real or not.

LUCIDIA
Requesting clarification: Does her consumption of fiction involve adult material?

LUCAS
N-N-NO! Not at all! We were underaged! Back then, that is.

LUCIDIA
Further clarification required: What of her creative endeavours?

LUCAS
…She’s not good at arts and crafts. Or writing. P-please don’t make fun of her over that.

LUCIDIA
Affirmative. Feedback acknowledged, registered, and catalogued. Thank you.

I believe you should give Miss O’Connell a call to deliver the good news of your heirloom’s retrieval. As of this moment, you still have some free time before training commences. I shall inform you when my husband is ready.

LUCAS
A-alright, Aunty. See you later.

[The young man stays still and quiet, waiting for his aunt to leave.]

LUCAS
Okay. Aunty Lucy went full robot mode there. That’s never a good sign, I think. Hope she doesn’t hold a grudge against Tavia over this.

[Lucas calls his girlfriend, Tavia O’Connell. He leans against the wall with his legs crossed, playing with the lucky coin.]

LUCAS
Hey Tavi.

TAVIA
Hey Luccie Sweetie~~~ How’s life up in the magical manor?

[The young man chuckles from the silly nickname and Tavia’s upbeatness.]

LUCAS
We~ell, my day’s always a little brighter whenever I get to hear your voice. How’s life down in the mundane metropolis?

TAVIA
More or less the same. Company stuff, uni stuff. I’m so swamped, I won’t be joining them on summer vacation this year, even after all that cancelling and rescheduling.

LUCAS
Sounds like it’s gonna be a busy summer alright. Hey Tavi, I do have some good news, though. The Magi found our lucky coin!

TAVIA
Our lucky coin?!?!

LUCAS
Yeah! The one and only! Man, I thought I had lost it forever in that mall incident.

TAVIA
This must be a sign. Our fortune is looking up! With you stuck in magic wonderland, and little ol’ me unable to go on vacation – now is the time! How about it? What if I take one day off my busy schedule to visit you at your uncle’s manor?

LUCAS
Uh, about that… She knows you’re in the fanclub.

TAVIA
Pardon? I’m confused. Who’s ‘she’? Which fanclub?

LUCAS
Have I not mentioned her yet? Maybe I haven’t. Oh god. This is awkward.

Ok so. Don’t freak out. Stay calm. My aunt – Lady Lucidia of House Berendin – knows you’re @FennelFantasyXVI, the founder of ‘The Evergreen Court’, the foremost Mezil Thyme fanclub on the internet.

TAVIA
W-w-w-what?! How?!? I thought I kept myself anon well enough! My parents used your dad’s technology to mask my identity.

LUCAS
Good question. But, from what I’ve learned living here, Aunty Lucy always knows everything somehow. When you’re healthy, when you’re sick, whenever you skip brushing your teeth… Come to think of it, she’ll know what’s happening to you before you even realise it yourself.

TAVIA
Hmmm… I bet a woman in her position has access to private data-mining technology. Also, I won’t be surprised if the whole place is full of hidden sensors! Yes, that must be it. That explains everything!

Just to confirm, Luccie… Is Lady Lucidia a real person? A real wife? Completely canon?

LUCAS
I can confirm that she’s not a fake stand-in, or an actor, or anything of that sort to keep up appearances. She’s ten thousand percent the canon wife of Supreme Judge Mezil Thyme.

TAVIA
… Ha… Ha ha ha ha ha…. Haaaaaaaah…

I’m dead. Thank you. Goodbye. There goes my dream of visiting The Berendin Manor. Gone forever. There’s no way I could win the approval of his one true fan.

LUCAS
Hang on! We can still salvage this. What if I ask Uncle Mez in person?

Despite Aunt Lucidia's misgivings, I think there’s still a chance that he’ll let you in on the basis of being my girlfriend. He’s actually one of the most reasonable people you’ll ever meet, and he’s always clear about his expectations.

Just, uh, don’t expect him to laugh at any jokes.

TAVIA
…Huh? Mezil Thyme, reasonable? Not unhinged in any way? That’s… not what I expected. He always tends to be super standoffish in the public eye, especially whenever he deals with the media.

You’re turning my whole world upside down, Luccie. I’ve been in the fandom for five years, yet I feel like I still know nothing. I guess everyone acts differently between personal and professional life.

LUCAS
Well, there’s stories, and then there’s living in his home for a month, having breakfast with him every other day, and doing everything else that’s been going on around here. You know what I mean?

But don’t fret, standoffish or not, he’s still the fancy outfits guy. I don’t think I’ve seen him without wearing something bespoke for the entire time I’ve been here.

TAVIA
No casual wear. None at all? Not a single generic store-bought design?

LUCAS
Nope. I think even his night clothes are tailor-made. Probably in-house Magus Association stuff, since I don’t see a brand name anywhere.

TAVIA
That’s so cool. His collection must be crazy expensive! I had my evening gowns custom made before and oh boy do they have a hefty price tag.

That reminds me, there are these jerkwads at the accounting firm calling Judge Thyme a ‘knockoff Halloween vampire’. Hmph! Try saying that to his face!

If you ask me, anyone rocking old-era clothes with top confidence is so dang cool. Your uncle, he’s an inspiration to us all! Maybe both of us should start copying his style?

LUCAS
Ha! I don’t think I could get away with that. Not without everyone thinking I was trying to cosplay as the criminal mastermind the Moriarty line descended from…

TAVIA
Then we should twist fashion trends back to that era. That way, with everyone wearing the same style, you won’t be called a cosplayer anymore.

By the way, I suppose that also means none of the rumours about Lady Lucidia are true?

LUCAS
Well, except maybe the one about her being a secret super-advanced android? She does have a tendency to talk like a Mother Computer. And it gets way more overt whenever she feels uncomfortable or stressed.

At one point, she performed mental arithmetic regarding the area of effective magic casting with two decimal precision. No hesitations, double checks, or pauses. If she’s not a robot, then she’s a human calculator.

I swear she simplified the numbers for me. She would have given me five decimals otherwise.

TAVIA
Wow! That’s nuts! Maybe she really is an android. It does sound way more believable than most other headcanons.

…I’m getting sidetracked. This bit of info won’t help me farm rep points. Your aunt would hate to be called a robot.

LUCAS
Um, yeah. You’re right.

What if we get a peace offering, so to speak? Gifts. One for my uncle, one for my aunt.

TAVIA
I know! I’ll get the BEST curry mix on the market for your uncle!

LUCAS
No, honey. Please don’t. Uncle Mezil has IBS. Curry will inflict a severe poison debuff on him. Guaranteed negative reputation points with my aunt.

TAVIA
REALLY?!?!? But… but his love for curry is nothing short of legendary! Everyone can agree on that!

LUCAS
It’s like me with ice cream. It’s fine if it’s self-inflicted suffering, but it won’t fly as a gift.

TAVIA
…I never realised he has such an embarrassing chronic health issue. I thought it was only the battle scars. Let’s see, if he has a sensitive digestive system, that means he can’t take alcohol, chocolate, tea, or coffee either…

Oh no. I’m out of ideas!

LUCAS
Change of tactics. Focus on winning the heart of my aunt first. If she’s happy, my uncle will also be happy. Right?

TAVIA
Right… What would your aunt like? I don’t know anything about her.

LUCAS
You know our talk about old-era fashion? My aunt dresses similarly. Beautiful sapphire dresses and the like. She’s a true blue noblewoman. That kind of imagery.

Either way, you said it yourself: Aunty Lucy is Mezil Thyme’s one true fan. What do true fans like? Stuff that makes their idol look awesome. How about commissioning a really talented artist to draw him? You should know a few.

TAVIA
Ah! I do! Why didn’t I think of this sooner? Cool. Solo pic. No ships. Got it!

Do you also happen to know her taste in art? Contemporary? Traditional? Impressionist?

LUCAS
Hmmm… I’m not versed enough in art to give a concrete answer.

TAVIA
Look around you. Do you see anything abstract? Like, cubes. Random colours? Surreal stuff?

LUCAS
Nope. No cubes. All I see are portraits, still art, environments, historical recreations… more on the realistic side of things, if that helps.

TAVIA
Thank you, sweetie. You’re a lifesaver.

You know, I think I was looking at it all wrong. If my reputation is already at rock bottom, it can only go up from here!

LUCAS
Heh, you’re definitely taking this situation in stride.

[Lucas looks at his coin, then lowers his voice to a hushed whisper.]

LUCAS
By the way, Tavi, did you manage to look into what I asked for? The ‘independent competitor from the Far West’ my Dad was eyeing?

TAVIA
Oh, you betcha I did. Had to do some real good digging at the firm, but the paper trail of money transfers is unmistakable. I found a list of companies your Dad had invested, and I found one that matches the description. It’s got to be Eldritch Fields.

LUCAS
I… I’ve heard of them at a corpo social event that Dad dragged me along to last year. Didn’t pay much attention though… Anything else?

TAVIA
Well, that company almost fell apart after the sudden death of their founder in 2045. The following decade was characterised by organisational corruption and infighting, losing more investors and favour every year. I’m honestly flabbergasted that they’re still standing today.

LUCAS
…Then I’m not at all sure what Dad saw in them to make him think it was a good idea to send me there. Does he really hate Uncle Mez that badly? Otherwise, I’m seriously questioning his judgement, claiming a discredited company is better than the Magus Association.

TAVIA
As the saying goes: haters gonna hate. Either way, Eldritch Fields did recently make a massive comeback. New management. Internal restructuring. The works. And let me tell you, the product line they just announced is absolutely mind-blowing. Total big brain cutting-edge revolutionary sci-fi stuff.

They’re calling it the ‘world’s first ever Psychia-based digital input device’. Potential applications include security, military, gaming. That sounds right up your alley, doesn't it? Milsims and whatnot.

Just imagine, magic-compatible folk casting virtual spells as if they were real. They could train an army of mages that way.

LUCAS
That’s only if games are actually developed to make full use of such input. Basically, actual proper magic simulators. Anything less is like saying playing a rhythm game will make you good at music. News flash, it doesn’t.

TAVIA
Oooh? What is this elitist argument I’m hearing? Are you a big shot Magus now?

LUCAS
I’m being taught by the best, after all.

TAVIA
Can’t argue there, teehee~ You really don’t believe some skills can carry over from gaming, though?

LUCAS
Not one to one, at least. Depends on the person.

TAVIA
Okay. I’ll let you in on a little insider secret. This is only a rumour mind you, but your Uncle Mez, he’s so much more than The Supreme Judge of the Magus Association.

My fanclub thinks that he’s an old legend hiding in the public eye: The Harbinger! Ten whole years undefeated, solo player extraordinaire, offline persona never shown! I’m sending you some material for reference.

LUCAS
The Harbinger? Isn’t he that guy who played as the Dark Lord in an archaic isekai-genre VRMMO?

Give me a moment to check it out.

[Lucas reviews the files Tavia sent.]

LUCAS
A left-hander, huh…

Hmmmm. Looks like he used a full body rig. Very sure he had a floor trackpad too, very typical of the era.

Whoa. Look at the size of those teams! And you’re saying The Harbinger soloed them all? Is this a Milsim in disguise??? The way he makes use of the environment is nothing short of spectacular. Oh man, he rigged the whole fortress with traps to grind down his foes. You’re saying that he did that alone on top of his other activities?

Hmm… that does kinda sound like Uncle Mez... Nah, there’s no way. He wouldn’t be caught dead playing video games. Pfft, he’s too serious for that.

Huh? My aunt just came back. Gotta go.

TAVIA
Bye love~ Good luck with everything.

LUCAS
Thanks! Bye dear.

[Lucidia appears and Lucas quickly ends the call.]

LUCIDIA
Lucas, Judge Thyme is waiting for you at the firing range. I’ll guide you there.

LUCAS
I’m good to go.

LUCIDIA
Please, follow me then.

[The Chronographer escorts Lucas to one of the Magus firing ranges. There, he runs into Cenna Caraway.]

CENNA
Yoooo, Luc! Nice to see ya again!

LUCAS
Hey, you’re the Magus with the cool hardlight bird. Cenna, right?

CENNA
Right on the money, newbie. I’m glad you still remembered my name after a month.

LUCAS
I’d say you’re pretty hard to forget.

[He notices that the shooting target already has holes in them.]

LUCAS
Is that your work?

CENNA
Yup. I got bored waiting for Ol’ Mez, so I went and polished my gun skills. Always good to have a non-magical backup, just in case.

LUCAS
Um… Is it okay for me to be here? I don’t have a firearms licence…

CENNA
Don’t worry, you’ll use the undeniably legal alternative. Stopping power is not gonna matter for your training regiment.

[The training gallery’s door slides open. Mezil arrives with a tired sigh, struggling to balance both the weight of a briefcase and his cane.]

CENNA
You alright, old man? It’s not your style to be late.

MEZIL
…The weather forecast confirmed that there’s a thunderstorm coming. Be ready for anything.

CENNA
Yes, sir. I will. Want me to help open that?

MEZIL
Your help is appreciated.

[Cenna plops the briefcase on the firing range table and starts to open the container. While she’s busy, Lucas approaches Mezil to ask about Tavia’s request.]

LUCAS
H-hey, Uncle Mez, I uh, want to invite my girlfriend over and formally introduce her to you. Is that okay?

MEZIL
As far as I’m concerned, Tavia may visit the manor any time. However, Lucidia does have some misgivings.

LUCAS
Hold on, you and Aunty already discussed this matter?

MEZIL
That’s correct. Truth be told, my wife had very few opportunities to connect with family: both on her side and mine. Ever since you’ve brought your girlfriend up in passing, she's been both nervous and curious to meet her.

Discovering that Tavia was also the founder of The Evergreen Court was rather distressing for Lucidia. I tried reassuring her that I have adequate experience in dealing with any issues that may arise from zealous fans. But...

…I am uncertain that my attempt was successful. Only time will tell.

LUCAS
Uh, you had dealt with zealous fans in the past? Was that when--?

CENNA
Hey Luc, catch!

[Cenna tosses an item at Lucas. He catches it and discovers that it’s a plastic toy gun.]

LUCAS
H-huh?! Foam bullet guns?!?! I was expecting at least an airsoft.

CENNA
Hey, I did say that you’re gonna be using the undeniably legal stuff.

LUCAS
Did you dumb it down for my safety? Dunno if I should feel insulted or not. This reeks of Dad’s meddling.

MEZIL
No. This is to ensure that any damage done is not caused by the tool you’re given. I’ll be using the same. Let us begin.

[After Judge Thyme inputs his request at a nearby console, the firing range’s automated systems prepare a fresh shooting target.]

MEZIL
I will begin with a quick refresher. Determination is The Red Aspect: the lifeblood of every living being. It is the will to live and the desire to act. A Mark is the symbolic materialisation of willful authority. The shape it takes reflects the caster’s heart.

Others will attempt to force their authority on you. And whether you realise it or not, you too will project your own authority unto others.

[Mezil readies his toy gun and takes aim at the target.]

MEZIL
Watch.

I impose my will to destroy my target!

[The toy gun flashes red with the Mark of The Butterfly. He then fires it. Despite being a foam bullet, the projectile decimates the target into shreds of cardboard. Lucas stares at the destruction in shocked silence.]

LUCAS
I-I AM holding a toy gun, right?

MEZIL
You may test it out for yourself.

[Lucas fires his own gun at the target. It lets out a cartoonish pop as the foam bullet bounces off the surface.]

LUCAS
Okay. This is definitely not a real weapon. W-what just happened?

MEZIL
I commanded my Mark to destroy the target. The imposition and transference of wills is the very basics of Red Magic. Focus your Determination on the bullet in the chamber. Issue a command for what your Mark shall do. Then fire at will.

LUCAS
O-okay. Um, I… uh, do I need to say anything specific for this?

MEZIL
Not quite. Words reinforce your authority, but they’re not required to cast. Use what you’re comfortable with first. You’ll develop your personal phrase later.

LUCAS
Alright then.

I impose my will for a bullseye!

[The spiral Mark shines. But when Lucas fires the toy gun, the foam bullet curves sideways, flies past the other lanes, and punches a hole on the left side wall of the shooting gallery.]

LUCAS
Whoops.

MEZIL
Try again.

[The next attempt sends the foam bullet flying in huge circles. It flies behind the safety of the range and whizzes past Cenna.]

CENNA
Watch it, man! I ain’t a bullseye!

LUCAS
Sorry, sorry! Why does it keep spinning like that?

MEZIL
Lucas, a Red’s Minor colours adds modifiers to their magic. Cyan Minors have the ability to issue two commands in a single Mark. I believe you’re unconsciously filling one of the slots with the command to spin.

LUCAS
That makes sense. Should I empty my thoughts?

MEZIL
On the contrary, I want you to focus. Are you aware of how a bullet spins when it leaves the barrel?

LUCAS
Uh, yeah. Wind direction, aerodynamics, and gravity influence the final results. That’s why you always need to aim a little bit higher than where you’d think it will land.

MEZIL
Good. Then ask yourself: does your current bullet need more or less propulsion? You can command your Mark to manipulate how the air flows as well. Experiment.

LUCAS
Huh. That sounds pretty fun, actually. It’s like theorycrafting, in a way.

[Lucidia shows up in the middle of the training.]

LUCIDIA
A word, please.

[The session is temporarily suspended.]

LUCIDIA
Tavia O’Connell may visit the Berendin Manor. However, there are two non-negotiable conditions.

LUCAS
O-okay?

LUCIDIA
One: she must agree to sign a law-binding NDA. Anything discussed, presented, or revealed in the Berendin Manor must be kept a secret. No photography of the interiors are allowed either.

Two: she will not under any circumstance argue that her fanon is canon. Especially not with my person. I lack the patience to deal with delusional insistence.

LUCAS
No problem there! I mean, she’s not the crazy type of fangirl. I promise. And, thank you. Thank you so very much!

LUCIDIA
Appreciation acknowledged. The necessary documents will be delivered to her home soon. She may visit once I receive a signed copy of the contract.

[END TRANSCRIPT]